Connecticut Constitution (1818):
<PREAMBLE. The people of Connecticut acknowledging with gratitude, the good Providence of God, in having permitted them to enjoy a free government, do, in order more effectually to define, secure, and perpetuate the liberties, rights and privileges which they have derived from their ancestors, hereby, after a careful consideration and revision, ordain and establish the following constitution and form of civil government...
ARTICLE 1, DECLARATION OF RIGHTS, SECTION 3. The exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination, shall forever be free to all persons in this state; provided, that the right hereby declared and established shall not be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness, or to justify practices inconsistent with the peace and safety of the State...
ARTICLE 1, SECTION 4. No preference shall be given by law to any Christian sect or mode of worship.
ARTICLE 7, OF RELIGION, SECTION 1. It being the duty of all men to worship the Supreme Being, the great Creator and Preserver of the Universe, and their right to render that worship, in the mode most consistent with the dictates of their consciences; no person shall by law be compelled to join or support, nor be classed with, or associated to, any congregation, Church or religious association.
But every person now belonging to such congregation, Church, or religious association, shall remain a member thereof, until he shall have separated himself therefrom, in the manner hereinafter provided.
And each and every society or denomination of Christians in this state, shall have and enjoy the same and equal powers, rights and privileges; and shall have power and authority to support and maintain the ministers or teachers of their respective denominations, and to build and repair houses for public worship, by a tax on the members of any such society only, to be laid by a major vote of the legal voters assembled at any society meeting, warned and held according to law, or in any other manner.
ARTICLE 7, OF RELIGION, SECTION 2. If any person shall choose to separate himself from the society or denomination of Christians to which he may belong, and shall leave a written notice thereof with the clerk of such society, he shall thereupon be no longer liable for any future expenses which may be incurred by said society...
ARTICLE 10, GENERAL PROVISIONS, SECTION 1. Members of the General Assembly and all officers, executive and judicial, shall before they enter on the duties of their respective offices, take the following oath or affirmation, to wit: You do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be) that you will support the constitution of the United States, and the constitution of the state of Connecticut, so long as you continue a citizen thereof; and that you will faithfully discharge, according to the law, the duties of the office of......to the best of your abilities. So Help You God.
AMENDMENTS TO 1818 CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE 1. From and after the first Wednesday [of May], in the Year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty, the Senate of this state shall consist of not less than eighteen, nor more than twenty-four members, and be chosen by districts...
ARTICLE 40...In case the governor shall not transmit the bill to the secretary, either with his approval or with his objections, within five calendar days, Sundays and legal holidays excepted, after the same shall have been presented to him, it shall be a law...
ARTICLE 13, SECTION 1. The general Assembly may provide by law for voting in the choice of any officer to be elected or upon any question to be voted on at an election by qualified voters of the state who are unable to appear at the polling place on the day of election because of absence from the city or town of which they are inhabitants or because of sickness or physical disability or because the tenets of their religion forbid secular activity. (Art. 12. Adopted November 24, 1964.)> 1818CT001
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1818CT001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Connecticut Constitution, 1818, Preamble; Article 1, Section 3, 4; Article 7, Section 1 & 2; Article 10, Section 1; Amendments, Article 1, 40, 13.